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Harper: Rezoning best for downtown tract

updated Thursday, December 15, 2011 - 1:01am

Recently, there has been a huge controversy over the possibility of building a 95,000-square-foot Walmart in downtown Athens. I believe I’m speaking for a lot of people when I say that should not happen. Although I’m just a teenager and can’t even vote yet, I believe that since I live in Athens, I should have an opportunity to express my opinion and have it heard by the people who matter in this decision.

I oppose the Walmart because I feel it will make some stores go out of business and just ruin the whole atmosphere of downtown. Without those businesses, downtown Athens will lose much of its unique character. The economy just isn’t allowing people to just be out of a job right now. Those who decide to work for Walmart likely will receive inadequate pay which will not help our town’s job problems.

As a teen growing up in Athens, downtown has recently become a more popular hangout spot. My friends and I frequent restaurants like Five Guys, Little Italy, Gyro Wrap and The Grill. We shop in the locally owned stores. I don’t really want to be walking downtown and see a Walmart sitting there. That just completely ruins the atmosphere of downtown and threatens these businesses we love so much.

A Sunday Banner-Herald story noted the option of rezoning the former Armstrong & Dobbs property, where the Walmart could be located, from commercial-downtown to commercial-neighborhood. The change would cap retail stores at 30,000 square feet. This solution would work for me. There wouldn’t be a huge Walmart taking over this space; it would have to be a reasonable size for the location and fit into the downtown environment.

Rezoning would also help alleviate many of the anticipated problems, like traffic issues. Rezoning is the best option to be presented so far, and I encourage Athens-Clarke County commissioners to seriously consider this change.

Ashli Harper

• Ashli Harper is a sophomore at Cedar Shoals High School.

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